Target disc, tethered ball &amp; game initiating spinner

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a target, preferably in the form of a disc, defining a plurality of spaced apertures, preferably each aperture being disposed in a separate zone defined by indicia on said target. The target can be suspended in an upright position, within a frame. A ball, preferably inflatable, is dimensioned to be passable through said apertures and is tethered via a cord to a post adapted to be releasably secured in an upright position to the ground. Means are also provided for randomly selecting the aperture to be kicked at and the number of kicks per player. Preferably, such means comprise a disc bearing spaced indicia and spinably supported in a frame to which pointer is secured. The apparatus is adapted for use indoors and outdoors with the target spaced a controlled distance from the post.

United States Patent 1191 Jones 1 1 Apr. 23, 1974 Stanley Linnial Jones,2018 W. 30th St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90018 221 Filed: Mar. 9, 1973 21Appl. No.: 339,923

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 273/95 A, 273/102 S, 273/105 R [51] Int. Cl. A63b 71/02 [58]Field of Search 273/95 R, 95 A, 97 R, 98,

273/101, 102 S, 134 D, 142 R, 127 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,488,919 11/1949 Mansfield 273/98 3,603,593 9/1971 Chew PrimaryExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind Attorney,Agent, or FirmJohn .1. Posta, Jr.

[5 7 ABSTRACT The invention comprises a target, preferably in the formof a disc, defining a plurality of spaced apertures, preferably eachaperture being disposed in a separate zone defined by indicia on saidtarget. The target can be suspended in an upright position, within aframe. A ball, preferably inflatable, is dimensioned to be passablethrough said apertures and is tethered via a cord to a post adapted tobe releasably secured in an upright position to the ground. Means arealso provided for randomly selecting the aperture to be kicked at andthe number of kicks per player. Preferably, such means comprise a discbearing spaced indicia and spinably supported in a frame to whichpointer is secured. The apparatus is adapted for use indoors andoutdoors with the target spaced a controlled distance from the post.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures EATENTEHAPR 23 1 14 3806, 122

TARGET DISC, TETHERED BALL & GAME INITIATING SPINNER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION a. Field of the Invention The present invention generallyrelates to sports game apparatus and more particularly to sports gameapparatus employing a ball to be kicked.

b. Description of Prior Art Games involving physical sports activity arebecoming recognized as of considerable importance in the development ofchildren, contributing to general body health and also muscularcoordination dexterity. They also stimulate the competitive spirit andteach fair play. They also fill in time which otherwise might be wastedin idle pursuits. Moreover, their recreational value is recognized foradults for general body tone and healthy relaxation.

Despite the above listed advantages, physical sports sometimes areignored because of the cost of equipment and the lack of space in whichto conduct the sport. The latter is particularly true in crowded urbanareas and during the wintertime in snowbound areas. Few sports areadapted for use in the home. Those sports adapted for home use normallytake up considerable space and require considerable financial outlay.Such, for example, is the case with ping-pong.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide simple, inexpensive sportsgame apparatus adaptable for use equally by any number of children andadults. Such apparatus should permit the development of a high degree ofskill and physical coordination and yet should be easy to use by old andyoung alike of either sex. It should be interesting and attractive inappearance, safe and be capable of being used indoors and outdoors inopen or confined spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION All the foregoing needs have been met by thesports game apparatus of the present invention. Such apparatus issubstantially as set forth in the Abstract above. The apparatus issimple to use, inexpensive to purchase and maintain, safe, and capableof being employed equally by any number of persons of all ages andeither sex. Of considerable importance, the apparatus can be easily setup and used within a confined space outdoors or indoors so that healthyexercise and relaxation can be obtained therewith regardless of space orweather conditions.

The present apparatus employs components which can be provided withattractively colored and interesting indicia. All components necessaryto play this sports game are provided, including means for selecting theorder of players, the number of chances a player has, the apertures tobe kicked at and the scoring value of the apertures. Further aspects ofthe present invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription and the accompanying drawings of which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective viewof a first preferred embodiment of the sports game apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged front elevation of the target and targetsupport means of the sports game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged front elevation of a second preferredembodiment of the target of the sports game apparatus of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 As shownschematically in perspective view in FIG. 1 of the accompanyingdrawings, a novel sports game apparatus is provided. Thus, an apparatus10 is depicted which comprises a target 12, defining a plurality ofapertures 13, target support means in the form of a frame 14 secured tothe target and supporting it in an upright position, a kickball 16,dimensioned to pass through apertures 13, and a cord or other flexiblemeans 18 tethering ball 16 to a stake 20. Apparatus 10 also includesmeans in the form of a disc 22 bearing indicia 23 and spinably supportedon a stand 24 bearing a pointer 26 for randomly determining the aperture13 through which ball 16 is to be kicked and the number of chances aplayer has to accomplish the same. Target 12 bears indicia 28 todetermine the value or points awarded for successfully kicking ball 16through an aperture 13.

Target 12 can be of any suitable size, configuration and construction,such as a plywood, metal, plastic, paperboard or the like, andessentially comprises a fiat plate or disc 30 defining apertures 13suitably spaced from one another. lndicia 28 may include divider lines32 dividing disc 30 into four scoring zones 34, which zones, for ease ofviewing and for aesthetic appeal can be, for example, of differentcolors, zone by zone. Indicia 28 may also include numerals 36 varyingwith and disposed within zones 34 and representing different scoringvalues for various of the apertures 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 2,two apertures 13 bear a value of 25, one bears a value of 50, and one avalue of I00. Apertures 13 can be of any suitable size and shape, butpreferably are circular to conform to the configuration of ball I6 andsomewhat larger than ball 16.

Frame 14 can be fabricated of any suitable material, such as plastic,wood, fiberboard or metal. Preferably, it is light in weight, but rigidand strong. It has been found that for this purpose it is desirable toconstruct frame 14 of tubular aluminum or the like. Frame 14 can be ofany suitable size and shape consistent with the size and shape of target12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, frame 14 can be of a generally invertedU-shape and can comprise a generally horizontal top member 38, theopposite ends of which are connected to diverging depending side legs40, and about the middle of which is connected to depending rear leg 42so as to form a tripodal support.

If desired, top member 38 and legs 40 can be made of one piece of tubingor the like, while rear leg 42 can be secured thereto by any suitablemeans such as a threaded bolt 44 passing down through apertures (notshown) in an overlapping portion 46 of leg 42 and top member 38 andreleasably secured in place by a wing nut 48. The lower ends of legs 40and 42 can be provided with feet 50 to facilitate stable placement offrame 14 on a surface such as the ground.

Target can be supported within frame 14 in an upright position byflexible means 52 permitting the target to give" upon impact with ball16. Means 52 may comprise cord, rope or chain 54 secured to theperiphcry of disc 30, as through ears 56, and to frame 14, as by singleplates 58 secured by bolts 60 to member 38 through apertures (not shown)and by rings 62 secured through apertures (not shown) to legs 40 and 42.With such a construction, disc 30 is permitted to swing within frame 14,making the task of kicking ball 16 through apertures 13 interesting andof variable difficulty, depending on wind, distance, etc.

Ball 16 preferably is round and can be solid or hollow. Preferably it isinflatable and somewhat resilient to facilitate kicking thereof. Thus,it can resemble a volleyball, basketball, or large softball or the like.It is durable and has an exterior which resists scuffing. Ball 16 can bemade of leather, plastic, rubber or the like, in the manner ofbasketballs, footballs, soccerballs, beach balls, etc.

Ball 16 is provided with tethering means in the form ofa ring 64 towhich is secured flexible line 18 of cord, rope, chain or the like. Line18 is also secured to post 20 which can be in the form of stake 66, asshown in FIG. 1, for outdoor use. For indoor use, an upright bar can bereleasably securable to a floor by a suction cup at one end thereof (notshown). Stake 66 may have a sharpened point (not shown) for easilyreleasably securing it in the ground. Line 18 is long enough to permitfree play of ball 16 while still preventing the same from moving out ofthe desired field of play. This arrangement permits apparatus to be usedsuccessfully indoors as well as outdoors, without danger of destructionof property by the ball. The length of line 18 can easily be adjusted toadapt apparatus 10 to the particular needs of the moment.

Disc 22 can be fabricated of the same or different material than disc 30and can be of any suitable size and shape. As shown in FIG. 1, it isspinably secured to stand 24 by a pin 68. Stand 24 includes an elongatedupright member 70 secured at its lower end to a circular base 72.Pointer 26 is secured to member 70 and overlies the exposed face 74 ofdisc 22, which face bears indicia 23 dividing face 74 into a pluralityof zones 76, each bearing a numerical indicium 78, varying from zone tozone.

Device 10 can be used in a number of ways to play a novel kickball game.For example, disc 22 can be spun to see which player gets the highestnumber, as indicated by pointer 26. Each player before playing can thenspin disc 22 to determine how many chances he will be given to kick ball16 through an aperture. If zones 76 are of different colorscorresponding to the colors in zones 34 of target 12, pointer 26 can beused to indicate by color which aperture 13 is to be aimed at. Numerals36 on target 12 then determine the score which each player makes if hesuccessfully kicks ball 16 through the required aperture 13.

Before such kicking is carried out, stake 66 is driven into the groundand target 12 on frame 14 is positioned a suitable distance away,depending on the length of line 18. Each player in turn attempts to kickball 16 through the previously determined aperture 13 and score is kept.The player who first reaches a preselected goal of, for example, 500points, wins the game.

It will be obvious that apparatus 10 can be utilized to play the game inany number of other suitable ways. FIG. 3

As shown schematically in front elevation in FIG. 3, the target can bemodified in order to stimulate a greater demonstration of skill. Thus,in FIG. 3 a target is provided which is similar in construction, shapeand the like to target 12, but differs therefrom in that its apertures82 are of various sizes, the smaller the size. the greater the numericalpoint scored by kicking ball 16 therethrough. Thus, aperture 82 withwhich numeral 50 is associated is smallerin diameter than thoseapertures 82 associated with numeral 25. Aperture 82 associated withnumeral is smaller than the rest of apertures 82 shown in FIG. 3. Withsuch an arrangement, more and varied types of kickball games can beplayed on the apparatus of the invention. Moreover, aiming skill can bedetermined and improved by reference to the size of the aperture throughwhich a given player is able to consistently kick ball 16.

In a typical embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, a targetframe is provided which is about 44 inches in heighth, with a leg spreadof about five feet. The frame is formed of tubular aluminum. A circulartarget disc of composition wood, having a circumference of about 93inches and a thickness of threefourths inch is positioned within thetarget frame about 2 /2 feet above the ground. Each aperture therein(there are four apertures) is 10 /2 inches in diameter. A cord line ofabout 6 feet in length (usually about 4 to 6 feet indoors and about 5 to10 feet outdoors) interconnects a hollow rubber kick ball of about 6inches in diameter to a ring secured to a wooden spike.

A spinable wheel constructed in the manner of the target is secured to athree foot high aluminum stand. The face of the spinable wheel is markedoff into zones of differing colors corresponding to those zones bearingthe apertures in the target. Each spinable wheel zone also includes anumber indicating the number of chances a player has to kick the ballthrough the aperture selected by spinning the wheel. Thus, each playerfirst spins the wheel to determine what aperture he will kick at and thenumber of times he can kick at the aperture. The player then tries to doso and each successful kick scores for him the numerical valueassociated with the required aperture on the target. If the player kicksthe ball through the wrong aperture, a predetermined number of pointsare deducted from his score. Accordingly, a novel sports game apparatusis provided for conducting healthy, stimulating recreational games inwhich any number of players can participate.

Various modifications, changes and alterations can be made in thepresent apparatus and in its components. All such modifications, changesand alterations as are within the scope of the appended claims form partof the present invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A novel kickball sports game apparatus, said apparatus comprising, incombination,

a target comprising a plate defining a plurality of spaced apertures,

a ball adapted to be kicked through said apertures,

tethering means for said ball to limit the distance to which said ballcan be kicked,

means for randomly selecting the aperture and the number of chances tobe allotted each player to kick said ball through said aperture,

target support means secured to said target for supporting said targetin an upright position,

said target support means including an upstanding frame and flexiblemeans interconnecting said frame and said target,

said target comprising a disc and said flexible means comprising aplurality of flexible lines secured to said disc at spaced intervalsalong the periphery thereof and to said frame, whereby said disc hangsin an upright, swingable position in said frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc is divided by indicia intozones, each zone including one of said apertures.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apertures are of differing sizeand said zones bear indicia of differing values related to the size ofsaid apertures.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is of a hollow tubularinverted U-shaped construction.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ball is inflatable and whereinsaid tethering means includes a flexible line secured to said ball and apost secured to said line and releasably securable to a surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the disc suspended from the framehas a second plurality of colorcoded zones.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first plurality of color-codedzones and the second plurality of colorcoded zones are matched together.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apertures in the target are ofdifferent sizes.

1. A novel kickball sports game apparatus, said apparatus comprising, incombination, a target comprising a plate defining a plurality of spacedapertures, a ball adapted to be kicked through said apertures, tetheringmeans for said ball to limit the distance to which said ball can bekicked, means for randomly selecting the aperture and the number ofchances to be allotted each player to kick said ball through saidaperture, target support means secured to said target for supportingsaid target in an upright position, said target support means includingan upstanding frame and flexible means interconnecting said frame andsaid target, said target comprising a disc and said flexible meanscomprising a plurality of flexible lines secured to said disc at spacedintervals along the periphery thereof and to said frame, whereby saiddisc hangs in an upright, swingable position in said frame.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc is divided by indicia into zones,each zone including one of said apertures.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2wherein said apertures are of differing size and said zones bear indiciaof differing values related to the size of said apertures.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is of a hollow tubular invertedU-shaped construction.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ball isinflatable and wherein said tethering means includes a flexible linesecured to said ball and a post secured to said line and releasablysecurable to a surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said randomselection means comprises a disc bearing spaced indicia, a disc supportmeans to which said disc is spinably secured and a pointer secured tosaid disc support means in proximity to said spinnable disc.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein the random selection means has a firstplurality of color-coded zones.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein thedisc suspended from the frame has a second plurality of color-codedzones.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first plurality ofcolor-coded zones and the second plurality of color-coded zones arematched together.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apertures inthe target are of different sizes.